FP3: Leclerc leads Verstappen and Hamilton in final Monaco practice ahead of crucial qualifying
Charles Leclerc solidified Ferrari's dominance in the final practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, posting the fastest time and leading Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. This performance underscores his strong credentials on home turf as he prepares for the all-important qualifying session later today.
Following two practice sessions on Friday, drivers used FP3 as the final opportunity to fine-tune their cars and push the limits around the challenging Monaco circuit. Weather conditions transitioned from warm and overcast to hot and clear, providing a picturesque backdrop for the action.
Verstappen and Red Bull had much to prove after labeling their start to the weekend as the "worst possible," with severe bouncing and balance issues plaguing their setup. As the session began, numerous drivers eagerly took to the track to accrue additional laps and gather crucial data.
Valtteri Bottas was the first casualty of the session as he clipped the wall exiting Piscine. The impact damaged his front-right suspension, bringing out the red flags when he couldn't navigate through La Rascasse. Hamilton narrowly avoided Bottas' stricken Sauber and later experienced a lock-up at Sainte Devote, running off the track briefly.
The final practice saw plenty of drama, with drivers jostling for track position. Verstappen, Kevin Magnussen, and Sergio Perez were notably vocal over team radios, frustrated by slower cars obstructing their laps.
Leclerc thrilled the home crowd with a blistering lap of 1m 11.369s on soft tyres, placing him comfortably ahead of Verstappen by a couple of tenths. Verstappen managed to improve his performance but still expressed difficulty over team radio. Hamilton rounded out the top three, slightly further back.
Oscar Piastri emerged as the leading McLaren driver in fourth, with Sergio Perez and George Russell securing fifth and sixth respectively. Carlos Sainz was seventh, trailing his teammate Leclerc significantly.
Lando Norris finished eighth after a near-miss incident with Russell exiting the tunnel. Yuki Tsunoda placed ninth, keeping Red Bull represented in the top ten, followed by Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon.
Read next ❯ Ferrari to reveal Hamilton's debut F1 car on February 19 at MaranelloThe Haas duo, Nico Hulkenberg and Magnussen, along with Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Logan Sargeant, and Daniel Ricciardo, filled the remaining midfield positions. The Kick Sauber team struggled, with Zhou Guanyu and Bottas bringing up the rear – Bottas without a time due to his earlier crash.
Teams will now debrief, analyze the data, and make final adjustments before the high-stakes qualifying session. With Leclerc leading the charge, the stage is set for an exciting battle on the streets of Monte Carlo.
Drivers and teams are on edge as they prepare for what promises to be a thrilling and strategic qualifying session. Will Leclerc maintain his supremacy at home, or will Verstappen and Hamilton strike back? Stay tuned for the developments.
